Tape dispenser and applier



s. H. BOBROV TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Dec. 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1948 INVENTOR.

Dec, 5, 1950 s. H. BoBRov 2,532,596

TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Filed Jan. 20, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. amd /1/ Zibb/00,

Dec. 5, 1950 s. H. BoBRov 2,532,596

TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Filed Jan. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN1/EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STTES.- PATEN-I." GFFICE TAPEDISEEENSER AND APPLIER Samuel H. Bobrov, Chicago,y Ill.

Application .lanuary.20, 1948,; SerialaNo. 3,315-

(Cl. 21S- 33) marily, for applying adhesive` tapeof theiso-,calledl Scotch type,..i. e. tacky tape having aplastic adhesive coating that remains permanently tacky and does. not have to, be moistened,A Be

cause of'jthe permanently tacky nature of Ythis plastic^` adhesive coating, problems are introduced in amachine for applyingthisiScotch type of tape th'atare notencounteredjin amachine for applying the conventional 'gummedtype of tape, Thus the use -of guides. or channels, areY either not applicable With Scotchtape or too complicated inrapplicatio'n. One of the, obiectsof my invention is. to provide amachine which meets these-problems in'applying Scotch tape. A

principalobject `of rnyinvention is toprovide a` machine 'whichperforms all functions of. tape applyingtape cutting and retainingrof out supply j end in position for further taping Without directmanual Contact with'the, tape and With-Y out liftinglthetrnachinefromthe Work surface until' all thesegfunotions are completed., However;-the'invention is also characterized` by improved features whichcan be `ernbodiedjin rnachinesf4 for applying the gummedtype of tape.A

One of the principal features of the invent-ion is'theprovis'ion of improved "tape-cutting means for automatically cutting the tape at theV conclusion of theftapingoperation. This cutting means'-is'fcharacterized by a pluralityfof laterall-y spaced, sharp, penetrating points considerablylonger than commonly employed for such purpose `and lwhich Yby virtueof theirl greater length.'Y first penetratey the tape substantie ly followingrwhich movement `of the taperelative tothecuttingV means causes the tape to heeey-V ered wh`enthe cutting pointshave penetrated the tape still further to the base areas of the teeth. This-cutting means is arranged to act on a tensionspan of the moving tape, this tensionspan being held away from the cutting meansduring the-operation of applying tape toy the-workingsurface, and 'this tension spa-nv being v then allowed to impale itself-upon-tl1e-1sharp,v

penetrating points of the cutting device when the cutting operation is to be performed Another' feature of -the inventionA resides in improved holding` means for ho1ding-the supply endf'ofV the tape leadingv from the--fsupplyfroli1 fl (l 2l i after the i cutting operation. An important pur,- pose of this holding means. is. to hold the out end of` the tapefsupply in a. predeterminediixed position whichiis readily available for the start-` ing of future taping with` the tape applying means employed, This improved holding means alsopreventsV the supply end of the tapeirom accidentally contacting the workl surface during the cutting operation, or immediatelyy there,- after. The improvedholding means also. preventsthe-supply portionofthe taper-rom contacting andadheringto other,v surfaces in the machine, which might interfere with or foul the subsequent operation4 of the machine. This pressure sensitive type of adhesive tape is so tacky and so quick to adhere lto anyv surface with which it has` e-.veniithe slightest. contact that it is extremely important that the cutting means and holding means function reliably in such manner that the adhesive sidek of the tape lead` ing` fromthe supply rollshall not. accidentally adhere to the work surface, or to other surfaces inthe machine itselfwhich mightV cause fouling of the machine.

Another feature of theinvention resides in improved pressure applying means for moving` thasupply end Yof the tape into adhesive contact ,witnthe Worksurface, for thereafter hold-y ing-` the tension span. of the tape away from the cutting means during the tape applying operation, and for then allowing this tension'span ofthe tape to impale itself upon the sharp points ofthe cutting device when it is desired to sever the tape at the eneln of the tape applying opernation.,

Another feature of the invention is that the length Ofjtape applied to the work surface can be varied atwillby the operator within the limits ofthe amount of tape contained in the y supply roll.

iz thereto;

Figure 2; is a horizontal sectional View taken approximately on the broken plane ofthe line 2-"-2 of Figure l;

Figura 3 isa fragmentary detail view of the y,cutting and holding means on a larger scale;

Figure -4is-a transverse sectionaly View taken approximately on the plane of the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the tape being pressed into contact with the work surface by the tape applying roll in the tape applying operation;

Figure 6 is a similar diagram of the rst step in the cutting operation after the tape applying roll has been swung upwardly to terminate the tape applying operation, showing the tension span of the tape leading from the supply roll to the work surface just beginning to impale itself on the penetrating points of the cutting device;

Figure '7 is a further diagram of the cutting operation showing the next step wherein the tape has just severed itself on the cutting device, and the trailing end of the applied strip is being rolled down upon the work surface;

Figure 8 is a final diagram of the completion of the cutting operation, showing the trailing end of the applied strip rolled down upon the work surface by the tape pressing roll, and showing the leading end of the supply strip caught and held between the top side of the cutting teeth and the under side of the holding spring;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure l showing a modified construction of the portable type of my invention;

Figures 10 and l1 are diagrammatic vertical sectional views through a stationary embodiment of my improved tape applying device wherein the package or article to which the tape is to be applied is passed over the tape applying device;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of this latter embodiment; and

Figures 13 to 1 8, inclusive, are views similar to Figure 3 showing different forms and arrangements of cutting teeth which may be used in the portable embodiment of Figures l, 2 and 9 or in the stationary embodiment of Figures 10, 11 and 12.

In the portable embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, the several parts are all carried by a movable housing i5 which is adapted to apply the adhesive tape by being propelled over the work surface W in the direction of the arrow X. The forward upper part of the housing l5 defines a substantially cylindrical compartment l5 for receiving the supply roll of adhesive tape T. As shown in Figure 2, the sides of the housing are dened by two parallel side walls ll' and i8, which side walls are joined at the top by the semicircular top wall l 9 which is integral with or iixedly secured to the side walls il and i3. The forward lower portion of the housing is provided with a swinging cover 2l which has a hinged connection 22 at its upper end with the transverse lower edge of the semicircular wall l. The side margins of the cover 2l are formed with overhanging lips or marginal flanges 23 which embrace the sloping forward margins of the side walls il and i8. This hinged cover 2l can be swung upwardly approximately to the open position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, so as to permit the introduction of a new supply roll of tape T when the previous roll has become depleted. The bottom end of the cover 2l is curved inwardly and horizontally on a gradual curve to form a sliding bearing surface Z5 which functions as a runner for slidably supporting the forward portion of the casing on the work surface when the device is pushed in the direction of the arrow X in the operation of applying the tape to the work surface. The rear end of the housing l5 is supported on the work surface through the medium of a pressing roller 2l which is rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft 23 having its ends mounted in the side walls I1 and l. This pressing roller il is preferably composed of rubber, pressed cork, or other suitable material, preferably slightly yieldable in nature, adapted to exert downward pressure on the applied strip of adhesive tape for insuring adhesive contact of the entire surface of the tape with the work surface. The use of a rotating pressure roller 2l' is preferably for supporting the rear end of the unit, but the roller can be substituted by a sliding runner or shoe formed as a fixed part of the housing, if such construction is desired. Above the roller 2l is a horizontal connecting plate or bridge 3l which extends transversely between the side walls il and E3 and is suitably secured thereto for holding these ends of the side walls in fixed spaced relation. the oi the device this bridge 3l also functions as a finger rest on which the operator can exert a downward and forward pressure for propelling the device forwardly, and concurrently exerting a downward pressure upon the applied strip of tape through the medium of the roller 2l.

Disposed forwardly of the pressing roll 27 is the tape applying roll 33 arranged for substantially vertical swinging movement toward and away from the work surface W. This latter roll is pivotally mounted upon a horizontal bearing shaft Bil which has its ends mounted in a swinging bearing frame 55. Said frame has laterally spaced forwardly extending side arms 36, 3E which have pivotal mounting on the inner sides of the housing walls il and I8 on pivot pins or rivets 3l. The side arm 33 (Figure 2) is eX- tended s mewhat beyond its adjacent rivet 3l for effecting attachment with one end of a tor sion spring 38 which is wrapped around such pivot pin and has its other end anchored to the housing wall ll. Said torsion spring tends constantly to swing the frame 35 and tape applying roller 33 upwardly to the normal position shown in Figure l. The swinging frame 35 also comprises upwardly extending arm portions 39 at each side which are joined by a transverse presser plate 4l extending across the tops and down the rear edges of these arm portions 39. This presser plate and adjacent portions of the swinging frame are adapted to swing upwardly through an opening i3 which is defined in the top of the housing between the semicircular top wall i9 and the transverse bridge bar 3l. In the operation of the device the operators fingers rest upon the presser plate di so as to apply downward pressure thereto for swinging the tape applying roll 33 from its normal upper position, shown in full lines, into its lower tape applying position, shown in dotted lines. Such downward motion of the tape applying roll carries the supply end of the tape down into pressure contact against the work surface W, indicated by the dash and dot line position of the tape, as will be later described.

The roll of adhesive tape is mounted upc-n a spool or core le which rotates with the roll. As shown in Figure 2, a removable mounting spindle l is adapted to be inserted through an aperture in the side wall lli for passing through the spool 65, this mounting spindle having a threaded end which is adapted to screw into a threaded boss ill provided on the opposite housing wail l?. A leaf spring 48 has one end anchored to the heusing wall I8 and has its other end apertured to i'lt over the spindle 56, this leaf spring exerting lateral. pressurefbetweenthe housing wallandzthee adjacent end. of the-spool 45; so faato.- maintain.A africtiom drag against rotation-ofthe spool and of.- the supplyy roll of. tape T-.. If desired; the mounting spindlellB-smay-be arranged. soy that itcan be.` screwed inwardly or outwardly` through. rotationof the outer headgfto adjust the friction:` drag pressure of. thefspring 41-againstithe. end of thespool 45. For inserting a new roll of adhesive tape'. into the machine,` the swinging cover portion 2| is swung. upwardly to its openy position, indicated in dotted lines, and themount ing spindle 45 is removed forv mounting.: a new: roll of tape thereon; Because the `adhesive tape. has.. atackyV under surface; it does not unreel freely from the supply roll, but niust always bev pulledy from the supply roll under tension` Thisy means-that the downwardly extending supply. end- S of the tape does not unreel from a point tan--- gential tothe upper or outer surface of, the sup-V ply roll, but instead this supply end. S pullsv loose from the roll ata lower point than the tangen-y tial: point, this.. being clearly. illustrated.. inEig.- ure.. 1... The frictiondrag of. the leal?v spr-ing also...augments thisaction- The supply end Soi., the. tape is adapted to be carried; down. intolengagementlwith the work.. surface W throng-ha.. tape..applying opening. 5|- in. the bottom of. the. housing. The. rear. end Ott-hisQpeni-Iig 5i-.isde nedmore or. less bythepresser ro.ll .2l', and the. front end-of said..o pening isdenedby the. upwardly .extending flange or.. end-wall. fforrned.. at.the.swinging; end ofi the hinged cover 211k. The.` upper edge of. the. flange 5.2. definesa.. rester.y

limiting. stopagainstwhich..the.und er. side ortho: t

adhesive.. tape f. is l adapted: toengage if. the supply.. end.. of 1 the tapef.. should. accidentally. become.. loosened from-.the cutting, andi,holding... device,` to.. belater. described.. If. desired; thisflirniting4t stop;

orrest 512 may. beiormeds. ar stationary, strut... bar, pin. or. the. like extending betweenandrig.- f

sitioniof'. thetape-v isI indicated.approximately by@ Y .i

the. curveddotted-- line* position shown,- in Fignrez l; If the': supply. endv of the'- tapefshouldacci-- dentally swing into this-loosened oriree position-1;. thetapey applyingfroll. 33. is still capable; of; en-

gaging thefouter side ci the tape for bringing;v y;

the tacky surface of the'tapedownrin-to engagee menti with thewcr-k surfacevin af tape-applying.; opera-tion;

Referring now'to my'unique automatic cuttingv andi holding: device.: which cutsgthe tapefat the; ed

completion: of. the: tape" applying operation.: holdsstlzie cut' end? or. supply end ofrthe'tapefinz readiness for. thefneXt-:tape applyingl operations. such devicecomprisesta penetrating.. andrshear-- ing cutterfliand arspringfnactingsholder:ii ihist cutting. and; holding.: device. isf' preferably posia tioned just? above l and" adjacent'to the.` rear. endf oirthet'ape:applyingv opening: 5t; at ai point',.just". forwardly 'Y of.` the.. tape pressingA roll'. 2.51": This isf-f the preferred` location .pcf "theV cutting 'and"heidi.` ing device, but suchlcatioir;isflnotessentiall ini its preferred-' form, the penetrating: andfsheariiigi cutter 55'is' i'ny the form1 of`A ai stationarycutter'l bar having-lits -endsrigidly afnc'lioredin. thefs'idee Walls f I flf'afnd' l 830i 'the housing vandhavin-g'pene;J

* the' presser; roll 2T;

tratingg:v and: cuttingteeth: extendingi forwardly:- fromitsafrontedge in; pcsition'rto.; have*v thetena sion: span'sSi ofthe tapeiimpaled thereon. in' the'.

tapemitting-operationi, Riguresz; hand lzillusatrate; one preferred embodiment: of/ this cutter:V

The-iban" portion: of?v thee cutter is: designated; 55u;

and the; teeth? projecting` forwardly.; therefrom oomprisegfpenetrating portions 55h'. andzseveringz. portions. 550:. The tape'v cutting operation. inl my machine;` is.y preferably a.. twosstagef operation,

wherein the tape isnrstfpenetratediby sharptpro.-A longed-penetrating points,r and fis :thenv severedzat at.: later-l stagei after; this', penetrating stage-.zn Thisf. twof'stageoperation; ailcrds. a desired time and.`

. motion'. interyallotthetape for. allowing; the -tapei holding.: spring; 56? adequate opportunity.: to; grip: ther-tapezatla pointj ust abovezth'e-point 'of sever-- anceabeforezthe' completezseverance actually occnrs:A This'enables the holding.. spring; 55; to be deflectedfrearwardlyf a'crfss the: topsv of. the-cut;-

ter "teeth:` substantially from' .thenorm'ai position. (shown in dotted flines) to the oleiecte-dposition` (showmin full .lines in Fig-ure- 'Z.. Immediately upon L the: complete severance. of the. taperthe spring 5.5 snapsb'ackzto itsnormal-.position' andi holds the f endg' of thefsupply vstrip S pressedfdownf` against the top ofthe' cutter 'yas clearly'sfiownl in. Figure. 3.'. Referring nowinore particularly.:to'-l this1spring,. it? is preierablyfof` helical form: and? hasf its: endsl secured. to. or set` into; retainerz brackets or cups 57i. which are secured to the'side walls Il and l'directly. above the cutterbar. As' shownin Figure 4;. the ends oiy thespring are; cocked withy the top of: each end coil'sloping upn wardly and inwardly. The purpose of this is-to impart a downward bowing orfiexure to the-loot'- tomof the spring across substantially-its entire span. so that` the bottom ofthe springV presses; downwardly against the-tops of" the cutterfteeth.

-, The end'coils oi'the spring maybe soldered or-v brazeolk to the retainer brackets 5'! at these-sloping angles, or the brackets may be constructed somewhat like cups, provided with. top and sidewalls to confine the springl againstupward or lateral displacement, and;` also provided with-.iinv

terior' shouldersor sloping end walls which incline. the end' coils of the springt@ produce the downward bowingjof the spring against the cutter-teeth.

In the enfilcodimentofl the cutter, shown in Figures3 and ll, the severing portions 55o of the teeth are cupped-with the-concavek sides uppermostas` shown in Figure 4. The downward bowing of the holding spring causes the bottom of this spring to press downV against.. the lateral edges As pointed' of the cupped shearing portions 55e. out above, the cutting ofthetape is a two stage operation. in which? the very sharp penetrating portipnsi. hfrst; penetrate.rv the tape., As. the. tape is* pulled further back for impaling itself more deeply over the penetrating points some of the tape material moves rearwardly ovei` each penetrating'point and finally crowdsrearwardlyv overeach c uppedlcutt'ng portion 55e. The tape naily becomes completely cut at the bottomsof the sawtooth spanes between the cutter portions. 55e, with the result' that'all of, the tape belowl the line: of severing swings down and is pressed into adhesive contact with the work surface by That partoi the tape remaining above the line of severing has been crowded inunder the .holding'spring 5t; such ace tion deecting. the spring rearwardly from the.

dotted line position shownlin Fig-ure 'lto' theafullf line-y position.. Ai. considerable partrof: each. por@^ tion of the tape which started rearwardly over the top of each penetrating tooth continues its rearward movement over the tooth and becomes crowded in under the spring 56. When complete severance occurs the spring 56 snaps forwardly and holds this irregular severed edge of the supply strip S pressed down against the tops of the penetrating tooth portions 55h and the cutting tooth portions 55e. Thus, after the cutting of the tape has been completed, the lower end of the supply strip S is held against the top of the cutter element 55 by two holding influences, i. e., first the tacky under side of the tape tends to adhere to the surfaces of the cutter tooth portions 55h and 50, and, second, the downward bowing pressure of the holding spring 56 tends to hold the tape pressed against the cutter teeth. Ihe combined eiect of these two holding influences is less however than the force required to draw additional tape from the supply roll. There are two influences which resist the drawing of additional tape from the supply roll, i. e., first, the pull-away tension required to free the tacky under surface of the tape from its adhesive contact with the next layer in the roll, and second, the drag resistance imposed by the drag spring 4S against rotation of the supply roll. Because the severed end of the tape pulls free from the holding and cutting device more readily than it pulls downwardly from the supply roll, when the tape applying roll 33 swings down to carry the tension span of tape S down against the work surface W, this lower severed extremity ulls loose from the holding and cutting device before any additional amount of tape is pulled downwardly from the supply roll.

I shall now briefly describe the operation of this embodiment of my invention. The work surface W can be deemed to be the surface of a package or box or it can be deemed to be an envelope or other device resting upon a counter or other supporting surface. Assuming that it is desired to apply a strip of adhesive tape along a certain part of this work surface, the machine is placed at the beginning peint of this line of application, with the supply roll end of the housing pointing in the direction in which the machine is to be moved. The operator can have this end of the housing pointing away from himself, in which case he pushes th machine in a direction away from himself, or he can have this end of the housing pointed toward himself, in which case he draws the machine along the line of tape application. The fingers are caused to press downwardly on the presser pla-te fil for swinging the tape applying roll 33 downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure l. The roll immediately contacts the outer nonadhesive side of the tension span S, and the continued downward movement of the roll 33 pulls the end of this strip free from the holding and cutting device, whereupon this end is then car ried downwardly under the tape applying roll and is brought into adhesive Contact with the work surface, as indicated by the dash and dot line position of the tape in Figure i. Concurrently therewith, the housing is being pushed forwardly, and the adhesive Contact of the under side of the tape with the work surface plus the downward pressure exerted by tape applying roll 33 and presser means 2l place a sufficient grip of the tape on the work surface to cause the tape to unreel from the supply roll as the machine is pushed or pulled forwardly in the direction of the arrow X. This tape applying operiii) ation is shown more clearly in Fig. 5. When the machine reaches the end of the work surface or the end of the intended line of application of the tape, the finger pressure upon the pressure plate fil is released so that the tape applying roll 33 can swing upwardly to the normal position shown in Figure l. The previous movement of the housing is continued, however, so that in such forward movement tension is still maintained on the tape tending to pull it from the supply roll. The immediate effect of swinging the tape applying roll 33 upwardly away from the tape while still continuing to move the machine forwardly is shown in Figure 6. This gure shows the tape in the preliminary stage of the cutting operation wherein the tape impales itself upon the sharp penetrating points 55h of the cutter. The continued forward motion of the machine and the continued action of the presser roll 2l continues to pull the tension span of tape downwardly so that this span impales itself still further along the penetrating points. In the second phase of operation the tape has deflected the holding spring 53 rearwardly substantially to the full line position shown in Figure 7, and finally the tape is completely severed substantially at the bottom of the saw-tooth notches between cutting portions 55C. Thereupon, the holding spring 55 is snapped forwardly, as previously described, and assists in holding the extremity of the tension span S pressed down against the top sides of the cutter teeth, as shown in Figure 8. The continued forward motion of the machine causes the presser roll 21 to roll down the end extremity of the applied strip of tape, as shown in Figure 8. This completes the taping operation and the machine can now be lifted from the work surface. It will be understood that the foregoing is performed as one relatively simple propelling motion wherein the downward force and the propelling force are exerted primarily through the presser plate lll, this being continued until it is desired to cut the tape, whereupon the downward pressure on the presser plate 4l is released but the machine is still pushed forwardly a slight additional distance to cut the tape. If the supply end of the tape should accidentally become loosened from the cutting and holding device it merely swings forwardly into engagement with the secondary holding device 52, as shown in dotted lines, from which position the tape applying roll 33 can still apply the tape to the work surface.

Referring now to the modified construction shown in Figure 9, the general arrangement of the tape supply roll and of the presser roll 21 are substantially the same as above described, and the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts where applicable. The construction of the housing is generally similar, and the supply roll has substantially the same mounting and includes the same arrangement of drag spring 138 for adiustably imposing a friction drag against the unwinding of the tape. Substantially the same arrangement of holding spring and cutter bar isprovided in this construction, as above described. The tape ap,n plying roll 33 also functions in substantially the same manner, the principal diierence residing however in the operating arrangement which causes this tape applying roll to swing downwardly in the tape applying operation. The shaft 34 of this roll 33 has its ends mounted in a swinging bearing frame 6I comprising a transverse back portion 62 and two downwardly extending side `arms '63, the shaft '3l being carried between these side arms. The side arms 63 are provided `with identical Vcurved -cam slots "64 throughwhich extends a"stationary 'transverse rod 65 having its ends fixedly .anchored in vthe sidewalls Il vand 18 of the housing. Motion is adapted to be imparted to the swinging frame 6l through the medium ofan operating lever 5l which "is of Vsubstantially bell-crank formation and ispreferably punched out of a't sheet metal stock. The upper arm s'of this lever extends out through a slot or openingi'S' in 'the top of the housingand is formed with a 'bent 'over'end portion E39 to facilitate Athe applicationof `finger pressure Vat this end of the lever. The intermediate portion of the lever xis pivoted on la transverse pivot rod 4Il extending between the side walls'l'l and I'8-of the housing. A return spring 'lll coiled about the pivotvrod 'il `tends to revolve the lever 6i clockwise vinto the nnormal position shown. The other I`arm 72 of the lever extends forwardly and has a pivotal connection at its end with 'a pivot pin 1113 which is V'carried in hinge loops -lfl formed in the walliZ "of the swinging frame. The lever Varm 'i2 has similar hinge loopsfor receiving the pivot pin 13. lllt will be seen from the foregoing that when forward pressure is exerted against the upper end portionIS of the lever Si, the pivot pin 73 will be swung downwardly -r-andvrer-irwardly relatively to the housing. This motion will carry the swinging frame A(il in a downward direction, and becauseof the coaction of ythe cam slots' with thestationary rod-55 the arms-6301 the frame 5l Awill he swung downwardly and forwardly, carrying the tape applying roll -33 downwardly and forwardly into its tape applying position. Such motion of the roll -rstlfrees Ythe tension spanl Sof tape from the holding-andcutting device'and then carries the end of they tension span down into engagement with-the work surface in substantially the same manner as described of the -preceding embodiment. -Concurrently vwith this downward andforward motion of the tape applying roll, the machine is being lpushed "or pulled'in the forwarddirection X. At the end 'of the tape applying operation the finger pressure is removed from the lever portionts so as to allow the tape applying roll to swingbackwardly and upwardly'to its normal position. This allows the vtension span of tape to move relatively rearwardly with the continued forward 'motion of the housing, so that the tape impales itself upon the penetrating portions of the teeth and 'then severs itself upon the cutting portions .of .the teeth inthe saine manner as previously -described. If the tension span S should accidentally become `loosened from the'primaryholding devicejEE-B, it lmerely swings forwardly into light contact with the secondary 'holding device 52, as shown in dotted lines in VFigure 9, from which position the tape applying roll 53 can still applythis loosened end ofthe tape against the work surface, so th'at'the'normal operation of the machine is not disturbed. "It will be recognized Atherefore `that themachine of vFigure -1 utilizes "a vertical pressurelup'onthe tape applying'means'while the machine of Figure 9 utilizes a horizontal pressure upon 'the tape applying means,'and these are the .principal differences between these two modifications.

Figures .10, l1 and jlzvdiagrammatically illustrate 'a stationary embodiment of my improved tape .applying machine, wherein the .package .or article tdwhi'ch the tapeis'to'be applied is passed 10 overthetapeiapplying machine. nthis embodiment, "l5 indicatesthe top of a counter or other supporting surfaceover which the package, box or .thelike'i is adapted'to be moved in the tape applying operation. An openingl is provided in this supporting Asurfaceld'and through this opening operate two axially aligned actuating rollers "E3 and a ltape `applying roller '19. As shown in Figure 112, Vthe two `actuating rollers "i8 operate on Opposite sides ofthe run-of the tape T, while the applying roll'i9 operates under .this run of thetape.v The shafts `of these rollers "EB and "'idhave supported their ends in va swinging frame Z8! which-is'mounted for swinging movement about a stationary -transverseipivot laxis 2. 'The :supply roll o'f 'tape is suitablyl supported below the supporting surface "l5 and the'tens'ion span of 'the tape .iscarriedup to a cutting and holding assembly 155, which is disposedsubstantially mid vwayof'the opening 'il justbelow the top of lthe supporting surface '.ld. 'In .the normal .position oftheparts the. actuating rollers i8 project upwardly .above .the .supporting surface'l inposition to be struck .by theforward edge of the .package T as the `package is moved over the openingTl, .as indicated in .dotted lines in Figure '12. The continuedmotion of .thepackage causesthe -ro'llersl tobe swungrearwardly and downwardly -into approximately .theposition shown in'Figure Il. .This causesthe tape applying roll l'ii tobe swung upwardly simultaneously therewith for .pulling the tensionspan of .tape S free vfrom .theholding:and-cutting .device .55, 55, and for thereafteriswinging this endof the tape upwardly .into-.engagement with the under side of thepakage'l, .asshown in Figure .11. As soon as -the rear edge of the package has passed beyond .the actuating .rollers 118, .these rollers are free toswing upwardlyinto thenormal ypositionl shown in Figure I0. .Such .motion ofthe rollers is not impede'dlby the tape because these two rollers operate uponopposite .sides .of the'run oftthetape. 'The .tensionof .the .tape pressing downwardly on .the tapefapplying roll 'i9 creates arotativefforce `tendingto swing the rollers back Ato theirmormalpositions as soon as the packagefhaspassed beyond .theactuating rollers `i8,.and .this action may -.be.augmented, if desired, by the provisionof springmeans tending to swing their-ame (itin a=clockwise direction. The instant that the .tape applying vroller A'I9 swings downwardly and allowsthe-tape to engage the'cutter 55, Vthe .tapeimpales .itself upon .the penetrating4 .points of the cutter andimmediately thereafter .the .tape .cuts .itself Aoff against the cutter teeth, in .substantially the same .manner as described above. The parts have now been restored to their normal positions illustrated lin Figure 10. If itis not desired tohave the tape extend acrosstheentire fore-and aft dimension of the package, .the latter .can ybe lifted at any point for .the .purpose ofinterrupting the application of adhesive tape .at :that point. In-such event, it will be .seen .that .the Aactuating rollers l@ are .then free to .swing upwardly` and then tape applying roller le to swingdownwardly,whereupon the .tape span .is .then permitted .to .impale itself -against the .penetrating vpoints for producing the cutting operation.

'Figures.l3,`l4, 15,16, 17 and 18. illustrate .different embodiments of cutters having different relations and .proportions of ipenetrating vpoints andcutting portions. Not all tape will operate with Yequal .eiciency on .the :same set of cutting teeth. Strong tape, made of fabric or paper, will tend to penetrate further into the teeth before the cutting off operation occurs. Weaker tapes will stand less penetration before parting occurs on the same set of teeth. For example, some Scotch tapes having a cellophane base tend to become very weak and brittle after long exposure to a dry atmosphere. In such cases it is recommended by the manufacturers that these brittle tapes be stored in a moist atmosphere for some time in order to restore the original strength and elasticity. However, if such tapes are used While they are still weak and brittle after exposure to dry atmosphere, they tend to tear off along the lines of any initiated hole or puncture, especially when accompanied by pull, and it may be difficult to obtain penetration Without rupture unless care is exercised in choosing for the front penetrating part of the cutting teeth a design which will reduce the possibility of premature rupture to a minimum. As pointed out above, it is desirable to have the two-stage operation occur in which the final cutting will not occur until appreciably after the initial penetration, so that the holding function of holding the severed end of the tape on the cutter element will not be impaired. In general, a cutting tooth design which is satisfactory for strong tape may not be satisfactory for weak tape, but a design which is satisfactory for weak tape will also be satisfactory for strong tape. The above explanation also applies to the spacings between the cutting teeth. Strong tape will function satisfactorily (provide a sufficient amount of penetration for holding to occur before rupture or cutting olf takes place) with close tooth spacings. Weak tapes, however, require wider tooth spacings. Obviously, the wider tooth spacings are more universally applicable. As previously remarked, the construction shown in Figure 13 corresponds substantially to that shown in Figures 3 and 4. Referring now to the construction shown in Figure lll, more emphasis is placed upon long, narrow penetrating points 55d, and the cutting portions are located at the bottoms of the tooth spaces, as indicated at 55e. In Figure 15, the penetrating points 55j alternate with relatively short or stub-like cutting points 55g. In Figure 16, relatively sharp penetrating points 55h alternate with relatively obtuse cutting points 551, both of substantially the same height. In Figure 1'?, a plurality of shorter cutting teeth 55k are interspersed between the longer penetrating teeth 55j. In Figure 18, the penetrating points merely consist of pointed pins or needles 55m which project forwardly from the cutter bar 55a, the forward edge of which then serves as the cutting device if penetration alone has not been sufficient to perform the cutting or severing operation.

Without any intent to be limited to specific dimensions, I consider it appropriate to point out that the minimum total length per cutting tooth which is believed to provide an area sufncient for the functions of both preliminary penetration of the tape followed by cutting is T1@ of an inch. The maximum tooth length depends considerably on the size of the taping machine to which it is attached, but can be approximated in the neighborhood of 1/2 inch. The preferred length seems to `be approximately in the range from of an inch to 1/4 of an inch. It is not necessary, however, that all the teeth present shall be in the range of sizes mentioned, or that all teeth should be of uniform dimension. It is only necessary that a substantial proportion 12 of the teeth shall be of sufficient length to provide for distinct penetration followed by cutting and holding of the tape end. This does not preclude the possibility that along with these long teeth there may also be present teeth of less than inch length, whose function would be only to help in cutting off the tape, while the work of penetration and holding is left to the longer teeth. The proportions shown in Figures 1 and 9 are fairly close to actual size, but obviously they can be made larger or smaller, as desired. It will be seen that many features of my invention can be utilized in machines constructed for applying other types of tape, such as the water moistened, gumrned type of tape; or that my invention can be constructed for using such type of tape. In instances where a suicient degree of adhesive contact between the tape and the cutter element can be secured without the holding spring 55, this spring may be dispensed with, if desired.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to -be the preferred embodiments of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that numerous other modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for holding a roll of pressure sensitive tape and applying desired lengths of such tape to a work surface, said machine comprising a, housing having a mouth, means for supporting said roll in said housing so that tape may be paid out, said housing having a portion defining a forward end of said mouth, said portion and work surface defining a plane, means carried by said housing adjacent the rear end of the mouth for pressing tape against the work surface, a cutter within the housing extending transversely of said housing near the rear portion of the mouth, said cutter having teeth some of which are at least inch long with the teeth pointing generally toward the tape supply, spring means cooperating with the teeth so that the cut end of the tape is retained in position against the teeth in preparation for a new cutting and tape dispensing cycle, a tape applier having at least an edge for cooperation with the nonadhesive side of tape, means for mounting said applier so that it normally rests well within the housing remote from the work surface but is freely movable to an active position toward the work surface so that the applying edge reaches the plane of the housing mouth at a point between the forward end of the mouth and the projection of the teeth upon the mouth, said tape applier being adapted to deect the tape out of a tension span extending between the tape roll and teeth and into contact with the work surface, said tape applier when returned to a normal position at the end of a tape applying operation allowing the tape to assume a tension span and thus force the tape against the cutter teeth during forward movement of thev machine to result in severance of the tape.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein additional tape holding means are provided within the housing at the forward end of the mouth for cooperating with the adhesive side of the tape to support the tape in the event that the tape end works loose from the spring and cutter after severance so that the severed end of the tape is always retained within the housmg.

3. In a machine for applying adhesive tape a housing having a mouth, a pressing roll carried by said housing at the rear end of the mouth, a tape supply carried by said housing at the forward end thereof in the interior with the tape extending to said mouth, a movable frame carried by said housing, a roller carried by said frame, said frame being movable to move said roller from a normal position well within the housing to an active position at the mouth of said housing, in active position said two rollers defining a work surface plane along which tape is applied, a transverse cutter carried by said housing, said cutter being disposed between the tape pressing roll and the active position of the second roll but being within the housing and having teeth and having some teeth at least lg inch long pointing toward the tape supply, said cutter being positioned so that thc teeth intersect a tension span of tape between the tape pressing roller and the tape supply in the normal position of the second roller, spring means for cooperating with the teeth to grip the cut end of the tape and maintain the same against the cutter whereby when said machine is moved forward relative to said work surface, the cutter retaining the cut end of the tape has the cut end of the tape removed from the cutter by the second roller being moved into active position into contact with the applied tape extending along the work surface between the two rollers and when the taping operation is to be completed with the second roller raised to an inactive position, a tension span in the tape is created with the span of the tape being pressed into the cutter teeth with further forward movement of the machine causing the teeth to cut the tape.

4. A machine for holding a roll of pressure sensitive tape and applying desired lengths of such tape to a work surface, said machine comprising a housing having a mouth, means for supporting said roll in said housing so that tape may be paid out under tension, said housing having a portion defining a forward end of said mouth, said portion and work surface defining a plane, a cutter carried by the housing and extending transversely of said housing near the rear portion of the mouth, said cutter having some teeth at least inch long with the teeth pointing generally toward the tape supply, a spring for retaining a freshly cut tape end against the cutter teeth, a tape applier having at least an edge for cooperation with the nonadhesive side of tape, means for mounting said applier so that it normally rests well within the housing remote from the work surface but is freely movable to an active position toward the work surface so that the applying edge reaches the plane of the housing mouth to bear against the non-adhesive side of the tape somewhat to the rear of the forward end of the mouth, said tape applier being adapted to deect the tape out of a tension span extending between the tape roll and the teeth with the tape being deflected into contact with the Work surface, said tape applier when returned to a normal position at the end of a tape applying operation allowing the tape to assume a tension span and thus force the tape against the cutter teeth during forward movement of machine to result in severance of the tape.

5. The structure according to claim 4 wherein said housing carries at the forward end of the mouth a secondary holding means for cooperation with the adhesive side of the tape, said secondary holder Abeing adapted to support the tape only upon failure of the cutter to retain the tape after severance whereby the loose end of the tape is maintained within the housing until pushed forward by the tape applying means.

SAMUEL H. BOBROV.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,235,704 Gorbatenko et al. Mar. 18, 1941 2,404,317 Salsberg July 16, 1946 2,452,584 Luebkeman Nov. 2, 1948 

